Full-service agents can provide valuable insight and guidance throughout the real estate process. They have extensive connections and can introduce you to lenders, home inspectors, title insurance companies and appraisers.
They will also handle the legal contracts and paperwork involved in the transaction. Check if they are licensed by searching their name in your provincial regulator’s database.
Buying or Selling a Home
Full service real estate agents have a wide range of skills and resources to help clients through the buying and selling process. They will be able to help with all aspects of the transaction including assembling legal documents, finding homes or prospective buyers, and negotiating between both parties to ensure that both sides are happy with the outcome of the sale.
They will also be able to assist with finding mortgage brokers and lenders. They will be able to offer advice on home values, current market trends and local regulations to help you make the best decisions for your specific situation. They will also be able to recommend home inspectors and title insurance companies.
In terms of selling a property, the real estate agent will be responsible for listing the home on the multiple listing services (MLS) and advertising it to attract potential buyers. They will then schedule showings for prospective buyers to come and view the property. They will be able to answer any questions that the buyer might have, and can point out features of the home that would appeal to them.
In terms of negotiating, a full service real estate agent will be able to get you more money for your home through their experience, market knowledge and marketing savvy. Alternatively, a discount agent or brokerage may be able to save you money through a different arrangement, but this should be carefully considered as it will be a trade-off in the level of service you receive.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
As a seller, you want your property to make a good first impression on prospective buyers, and there are many things you can do to help achieve this goal. From taking a fresh set of photographs to hiring stagers to place furniture and create vignettes, there is no shortage of tips and tricks that can increase your chances of receiving an offer quickly.
It’s also a good idea to fix any nagging issues before listing your home. For instance, you may need to touch-up or repaint trim, replace damaged or outdated doorknobs and light fixtures, repair sagging gutters and clean up debris and trash from the yard. Staging your home can also be helpful in attracting buyers, as it allows them to picture themselves living in the space. A professional stager can provide advice and recommendations based on current market trends.
Having an accurate understanding of your home’s value is also important, as it can determine the timing and strategy for putting your house on the market. A real estate agent can help you perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to compare similar homes in your area and gauge their value. In addition, open lines of communication with mortgage lenders can prevent misunderstandings and speed up the process by eliminating the need for costly revisions.
Being flexible with pricing can also boost your chances of selling your property. Buyers are often savvy and will carefully compare several properties before making an offer, so being open to adjusting your asking price can attract more potential buyers and accelerate the process.
Marketing Your Home
When the time comes to sell your home, your real estate agent will market it in a variety of ways. This may include listing your property on the MLS, arranging open houses and promoting it to other agents who are working with prospective buyers.
A good real estate agent has a wide network, extensive negotiation skills and a history of selling properties. They will know how to price your property right for a quick and lucrative sale. They might even use creative marketing techniques to attract potential buyers. For example, they can use unique yard signs with catchy expressions that will grab the attention of people passing by. They can also create engaging virtual tours using drone videos. They can even join platforms that connect local buyers and sellers.
Negotiating the Sale
Full service real estate agents are incentivized to sell properties as quickly and efficiently as possible. Since their pay is tied directly to the sale price of property, they have an alignment of interests with their clients and will work harder to secure a deal that benefits both parties. This can be a great benefit for sellers who may have less experience or knowledge of a local market and need a dedicated party to navigate the transaction process.
A full service real estate agent can also provide valuable insight into the local market and help guide their clients on establishing an appropriate listing price for property. They will be able to use up-to-date data and tools to assess property values and identify comparable sales in the area. They will also conduct property showings and open houses to showcase homes for potential buyers.
Many homeowners choose to work with a discount broker to save money on the sale of their home. However, this can often backfire as these brokerages tend to be staffed with less experienced agents who are not able to properly represent their client’s best interests during offer negotiations.
As a result, buyers often overpay for properties, which can lead to long and frustrating negotiations and potential delays in the closing process. In order to avoid this, make sure you work with a licensed full service real estate agent who is registered and regulated by your provincial regulatory body. In Ontario, this is the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO).